Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, will return to Coney Island this summer after being sidelined by a sponsorship conflict last year.
Chestnut has been synonymous with the July 4th event since 2007 and boasts the 10 highest totals in the contest history. He holds multiple world records in competitive eating and was banned from the stage by Major League Eating (MLE) over a partnership with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat substitute company.
However, Chestnut has stated that he never appeared in any commercials for Nathan’s, leading to an apology from MLE and his subsequent return to the competition.
Chestnut will face off against reigning champion Patrick Bertoletti in this year’s contest. The event attracts competitors from around the globe, with hundreds of thousands tuning in to watch. According to ESPN, last year’s contest drew 831,000 viewers, its lowest number in over a decade.
The hot dog eating contest has a rich history, dating back to 1972 when Nathan’s held its first recorded contest. The competition has grown into a major event, with competitors vying for the top prize of $10,000 and a yellow and pink mustard belt.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/17/nx-s1-5436713/joey-chestnut-coney-island-hot-dog-contest